Arrangement for closing bags and containers



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Maud/M M United States Patent 3,089,298 ARRANGEMENT FUR CLGSING BAGS ANDC(PNTAKNERS Gunther Neuendorf, Darmstadt-Eberstadt, Paul Schmidt,

Darmstadt, Wilhelm Reii, Eimshausen an der Bergstrasse, and WiiheimRiimer, Weiterstadt, Kreis Darinstadt, Germany, assignors to Habra Work,Wilhelm F. Ott, Darrnstadt, Germany Filed May 31, 196i), Ser. No. 32,967Claims priority, application Germany June 2, 1959 19 Ciaims. (Cl.53-4312) The present invention relates to an arrangement for closingbags and containers, and more particularly to an apparatus and a methodfor closing and sealing the open end of a prismatic container consistingof a scalable sheet material, such as a synthetic plastic material,paper with a sealable layer, and so forth.

The type of containers with which the present invention is concerned isgenerally used for liquid, semi-liquid or paste material.

The present invention is particularly concerned with the closing of theopen end of a container, Whose bottom and side walls were previouslyformed and sealed.

According to known arrangements, the open container is filled, whereuponthe walls of the container end are spread apart by a pair of spreadingmembers. When two side wall portions of the container are superimposed,the spreading members are withdrawn, whereupon the superimposed sidewall portions of the container are sealed along the entire lengththereof along a single line.

This method has the disadvantage that the side wall portions are notfully superimposed where the spreading members were withdrawn, so thatthe sealing seam is not perfect at these points. Folds and wrinkles. maydevelop between the sealing members, and preclude a tight closure of thecontainer.

Other known arrangements provide tubular members which are inserted intothe open end of the filled container to remove the air, or to introducea suit-able gas. Since the tubular members have to remain in thecontainer until the sealing is completed, it is necessary to providerubber sealing jaws which are compressed by the inseited tubular membersbetween the sealing jaws, and only after the container walls are pressedtogether by the sealing jaws, the tubular members are withdrawn. Thisoperation frequently resulted in imperfect sealing of the filledcontainer.

It is one object of the present invention to improve the apparatus andmethod of the prior art, and to provide an arrangement for closing theopen end of a filled bag or container by which a tight and reliableclosure is obtained.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method andapparatus for closing a container in such a manner, that a short sealingseam can be opened for discharge of the contents of the container.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatuspermitting evacuation of air, or introduction or a suitable gas into thecontainer, while nevertheless tight sealing seams are produced.

A related object of the present invention is to apply tubular spreadingmember through which the air can be removed from the container, orreplaced by a suitable gas.

Another object of the present invention is to close and seal a containerin such a manner that open flaps are formed of superimposed wallportions, whereupon such flaps are independently sealed to permit l-aterdischarge of the contents of the container by opening only one of theindependently sealed flaps.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sealed openingon the closed container which, when "ice 2 opened, permits the insertionof a straw through a small opening, without requiring full opening ofthe container.

With these objects in view, the present invention mainly consists in amethod and apparatus for closing the open end of a container. Inaccordance with one method of the present invention, a pair of oppositenarrow portions of the side walls of the container are spread apart tosuperimpose the remaining wider portions of the side walls. Thesuperimposed portions have triangular flaps laterally projecting fromthe main body of the container and including the narrow portions.Thereupon, the superimposed portions are sealed to each otherintermediate the flaps, which remain open, and finally the ilaps aresealed by independent sealing seams so that only one of the flaps has tobe opened for discharge of the contents of the container.

Preferably, the tips of the flaps are first cut off, and the flaps aretransversely collapsed so that they assume a trapezoidal shapepermitting short transverse sealing seams to be formed. The flaps arethen flattened and then superimposed on the sealed side wall portions sothat a flat top wall is formed on the container.

The spreading step is preferably carried out by a pair of tubularspreading members, through which the air can be removed from thecontainer. After withdrawal of the tubular spreading members, the flapsare closed by transverse sealing seams.

The apparatus of the present invention comprises a pair of spreadingmembers which can be inserted into and Withdrawn from the open end of acontainer, and a pair of sealing members movable transverse to thespreading members to a sealing position in which the sealing members arelocated between the spreading members. Since the sealing members areshorter than the distance between the spreading members, container wallportions superimposed by the action of the spreading members can besealed by the sealing members while the spreading members are stillwithin the container walls. Control means are provided for operating thespreading and sealing members in the required sequence.

The sealing members and spreading member-s form laterally projectingtriangular flaps, whose tips are cut off by cutting means, and in oneembodiment of the present invention the flaps are flattened and clampedbetween other sealing means which simultaneously transport the closedcontainer and seal the flaps.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the spreadingmembers and sealing members have cam followers and are mounted on acarrier element. A shiftable element having cam tracks thereon is movedby other cam means relative to the carrier member, so that the spreadingmembers and sealing members are operated. Other cam means move thecarrier member for placing the spreading members and the sealing membersin the proper position relative to the container to be sealed.

The thus sealed containers have still open triangular flaps, and areconveyed to cutting means which cut off the tips of the flaps to enlargethe openings through which the spreading members were withdrawn.Thereupon, the flaps are gripped by other sealing members which aremounted on a turnable member, and while the container is transported bythe turnable member, the other sealing members thereon seal the flaps.

Preferably, the spreading members do not remain in fully spread positionwhile the sealing member-s seal the superimposed wall portions of thecontainer. Before the sealing members assume the sealing position, thespreading members are slightly moved toward each other to release thecontainer walls, so that the sealing members can clamp the superimposedcontainer walls without producing tension in the superimposed walls oron the spreading members.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIGS. 1 to 6 are perspective views illustrating consecutive operationsin accordance with the present invention for closing the open end of aprismatic container;

FIG. 6a is a schematic fragmentary sectional view illustrating aparticular sealing seam on the container;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating one embodiment of asealing arrangement;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating another modifiedembodiment;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken on line 10- 10 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a schematic fragmentary sectional view taken on line 10-10 inFIG. 9 and illustrating another operational position;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary schematic sectional view corresponding to FIG.9 but illustrating another operational position of the device;

FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 are cross-sectional views of the spreading andsealing members illustrating consecutive operational positions of thesemembers during the closure of the open end of a container;

FIG. 16 is a top view of a partly sealed container whose flaps were cutoff;

FIG. l7 is a schematic side view of the cam means by which the device ofFIGS. 9 and 10 is operated;

FIG. '18 is a fragmentary side View, partly in section illustrating amodified apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. .19 is a perspective view illustrating the opening of a sealedcontainer according to the present invention;

FIG. 20 is an axial sectional view illustrating a device for completingthe sealing of the container; and

FIG. 21 includes a cross-section of the device shown in FIG. 20, and aside elevation of cutting means, and transporting means for thecontainers.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 to 6,which schematically illustrate the consecutive operations for closing anopen prismatic container after filling, FIG. 1 shows the container inthe condition in which it is filled. The container is of prismaticshape, has side wall means 1 and a bottom 2. The container is sealedalong a longitudinal seam 5, and flaps 4 and 4' which are formed whenthe flat bottom is made, are laid flat onto the bottom 2 and are bondedto the same: The container has an open end '6. A pair of spreadingmembers 7 is inserted in a closely spaced inoperative position into theopen end 6 of the container, and when the spreading members 7 are movedapart in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2, they engage narrow sidewall portions, and spread the same apart so that wider portions 8 of theside wall means 1 are superimposed. At the same time, sealing members 9are placed on both sides of the superimposed side wall portions 8. Thisposition is also illustrated in FIG. 13 in which the spreading members119 cooperate with sealing members 120a, while the side wall portionsare designated by reference numeral 127. As FIGS. 2 and 13 clearly show,the transverse length of the sealing members is less than the distancebetween the spreading members in spreading position, so that the sealingmembers can be moved to a sealing position clamping the superimposedside wall portions of the corn tainer, and forming a sealed seamthereon.

As shown in FIG. 14, spreading members 7, or 119, are first movedslightly toward each other to release the previously engaged narrow sidewall portions 124 so that no stress is caused by the clamping action ofthe sealing.

members. As shown in FIG. 15, the sealing members are retracted afterthe seal has been formed, whereupon the sealing members and thespreading members are wlthdrawn from the container. After thisoperation, the superimposed side wall portions have lateralsubstantially triangular flaps which project from the main body of thecontainer, and have openings 10 from which the spreading members 7 werewithdrawn. These openings are not sealed, since the sealing members 9 donot extend into the region of the spreading members.

The container is now transported in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3and passes under a flattening member 20 which flattens the superimposedand sealed portions 8 so that the flaps 12 laterally project, as alsoshown in the top view of FIG. 16. The corresponding side walls of thecontainer are preferably constrained at this point, so that theprismatic shape of the container is re-established throughout itsheight.

The container is now transported to cutting means 21, 22 which cut offthe tips of the flattened flaps 12, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 16, so thattrapeze-shaped flaps are formed which have openings 11.

As shown in FIG. 5, the conveyor is transported to pass between a pairof shaping members 23 which turn up flaps 12. Pairs of other sealingmembers 24 and 25 are now applied to the flaps 12, to form transversesealing seams on the same by which the openings 11 are closed. Sealingmembers 24, 25 are preferably formed with a projecting ridge and acorresponding groove, to make the sealing seam 12a in the form of a headas shown in FIG. 6a.

In a modified arrangement of the present invention, a Single sealingblock 13 is substituted for the inner sealing members 25, as shown inFIG. 7. The sealing members 15 are guided between pairs of guide members14 and 14a to press the flaps 12 against the sealing block 13.

In the modified arrangement of FIG. 8, the container is placed in aholder 17 of matching shape, which has two pivoted plate members 18.After the opened container is inserted into the holder 17, plate members18 are inwardly turned, and the edges 18a are spaced a distancecorresponding to two wall thicknesses of the container so that a pair ofsuperimposed portions 8 is formed which have triangular lateral flaps,as described with reference to FIG. 2. Plate members 18 are heated bysuitable means, not shown, as are the previously mentioned sealingmembers 9 and 120a, so that a seam is formed at the center of thesuperimposed wall portions 8. The other operations are performed in thesame manner as described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, and 13 to 15.

The operations described with reference to FIGS. 1 t0 6 are preferably.carried out by the apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 21. A firstsupport member is provided for transporting a plurality of containers,and this support member preferably includes a conveyor belt 202, andopen holders 203 mounted on the conveyor belt, as shown in FIG. 21. Asecond support member 104, 102, shown in FIG. 9 moves along a secondpath parallel to the path of the containers 1. The paths may bestraight, or circular, depending on the construction of the conveyingmeans, but the two supporting members must move at the same speed, or beat a standstill at the same time.

A carrier element is mounted on the support element 102, and includes asleeves 101 urged by a spring 103 to assume a position in which a firstcam follower roller 105 engages a stationary cam 106,also shown in FIG.17. In the event that the movement takes place along a circular path,cam 106 would have a substantially circular shape.

The carrier element includes an arm 107 secured to sleeve 102, and acylindrical bearing 108. A shiftable member 109 is mounted in bearing108 and is urged by a spring 110 into a position in which a second camfollower roller 111 rolls on a stationary earn 112, also shown in FIG.17.

As shown in FIG. 9, shiftable member 1119 has a pair of cam tracksincluding recessed cam track portions 114-, and spaced therefrom lessrecessed cam track portion 115, the recess cam shaft portion beingseparated by a higher portion of the cam track.

As best seen in FIG. 10, shiftable member 109 has another pair of camtrack portions 113 which are angularly displaced at an angle of 90degrees with respect to the cam track portions 114 and 115. The portion107 of the carrier member has a pair of pins 116 on which a pair of camfollower elements 117 is turnably mounted. Cam follower elements 117include rollers 116 which cooperate with the pair of cam tracks 114,115. A pair of spreading members 119 is secured to the cam followerelements 117 and are normally in the closely spaced inoperative positionillustrated in FIG. 9 since cam follower rollers 118 are located in therecessed cam portion 114. However, when shiftable member 109 is loweredby a projecting portion of cam means 112, rollers 118 pass to the higherintermediate cam portions, and effect spreading of the spreading members119 to a farther spaced spread position in which spreading members 119are slightly farther spaced than shown in FIG. 12. This spreadingposition is illustrated in FIG. 13, from which it will become apparentthat the open end of the container is spread and flattened to form twoopposite portions. When shiftable member 169 is further downward movedto the position shown in FIG. 12, rollers 118 enter into the slightlydepressed cam track portions 115, so that the spreading members 119perform a slight inward movement to the positions illustrated in FIGS.12 and 14, in which they release the side wall of the container.

As shown in FIG. 10, the carrier member and more particularly thebearing sleeve 1&8 turnably supports a pair of cam follower elementsincluding levers 120 and rollers 122. Sealing members 120a are securedto the ends of the levers 120 and are normally in the inoperativeposition illustrated in FIG. 10, since rollers 122 engage the mostdepressed portion of cam tracks 123.

When a projecting portion of cam 112, see FIGS. 9 and 17, engages thesecond cam follower roller 111, the shiftable member is downwardlymoved, as described above, and if the carrier member 101, 107, 108 isnot displaced at the same rate, rollers 122 will travel along the camtracks 113, effecting a turning movement of levers 120 so that sealingmembers 12% move inwardly toward each other to the position illustratedin FIG. 14 in which the side Wall portions 127 of the open containerends are pressed against each other, and sealed by the heated sealingmembers 120a. The spring 110 abuts on a bottom plate of the carrier part108 and against a recessed shoulder in shiftable member 109, so that theshiftable element 109 tends to assume the position shown in FIGS. 9 and10 in which the spreading members 119 and the sealing members 12tia areinoperative. It will be appreciated that the pair of cam tracks 114-,115, and the pair of cam tracks 113 are designed in such a manner as toobtain a desired sequence of movement of the spreading member 119 andsealing members 120a, as illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14. When rollers122. engage the highest portions of cam tracks 113, as shown in FIG. 11,the sealing members 126a firmly press superimposed container wallportions 127 against each other and seal the same by application ofheat. After the sealing has been completed, the sealing members 120amove apart to the position shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 illustrates a modified embodiment which corresponds to the abovedescribed apparatus, and consequently, corresponding parts aredesignated by the reference numerals used in FIGS. 9 and 10. In themodified embodiment of FIG. 18, the spreading members 129 are tubular,and have rear ends attached to flexible tubes 130 which are connected tosuitable pump means by which air can be evacuated from the containerwhile the spreading members 129 are still in the openings 124. Suchremoval of the air is either carried out by sucking out the air, or .byintroducing a suitable gas through at least one of the tubular spreadingmembers 129 which effects removal of the air from the container, andreplacement of the air by a suitable gas. The pumps used for thispurpose are not shown in FIG. 18, since they are of a conventionalconstruction well-known to those skilled in the art.

The above-described apparatus is operated in the following manner: Atthe beginning of the operation, the cam follower rollers and 111 are inthe position illustrated at the right end of FIG. 17, with at least camfollower roller 105 engaging cam track 106 under the action of spring103. Spreading members 119, or 129 in the embodiment of FIG. 18, are inthe inoperative position shown in FIG. 9, and furthermore above the openend of a container which is transported and moves at the same speedalong cam 1116 Sealing members 129:: are also in the open inoperativeposition shown in FIG. 10. The container has the shape shown in FIG. 1.

During movement toward station I in FIG. 17, the carrier member 101,107, 108 is downwardly moved by the pressure of cam means 1% on theroller 105. Consequently, the spreading member 119 in closely spacedinoperative position is moved into the open end of container 6, Whilethe sealing member 12% is placed on opposite sides of a container 126which is located in a holder 203, as shown in FIG. 10.

Between stations I and II, cam track 106 does not rise, while cam track112 rises. Consequently, carrier memher 101, 1117, 198 remains in thesame position, while shifta'ble member 101 is downwardly urged by camfollower roller 111 engaging cam means 112. During such downwardmovement of shiftable member 199, rollers 118 will move out of thedepressed cam track portions 114 and be located on the highest cam trackportion adjacent thereto. This effects pivotal movement of spreadingmembers 119- tothe farthest spaced spreading position illustrated inFIG. 13. The top portion of the container is deformed, and two side wallportions are located opposite each other, while in the region of thespreading members 119, two laterally projecting substantially triangularflaps are formed of the superimposed wall portions which project fromthe main body of the container. The downward movement of the shiftablemember 109 also effects movement of the sealing member 129a toward eachother. Shortly before station II is reached, shiftable member 1129 isdownwardly urged, to such extent that rollers 118 are located in thedepressed cam track portions 115, see FIG. 12, in which the spreadingmembers move slightly toward each other to release the container wallportions 124, as shown in FIG. 14. When the device is at the station II,spreading members 119 are in the position of FIG. '12, while the sealingmembers have assumed the sealing position shown in FIG. 14 in which thecontainer wall portions 127 are fully superimposed and pressed againsteach other, while heat is applied by the sealing members 126a to form asealing seam on wall portions 127. Due to the release of the containerwall by the slightly inwardly moved spreading member 119, the spreadingmembers 119, and the walls of the container are not subjected to anystress. The device moves now from station II to station III while theposition of FIG. 14 is maintained and the container walls are heated andsealed by sealing members 12%. During movement between stations II andIII, cam follower 105 preferably releases cam 166.

At the station III, a raised portion of cam 1116 slightly depressescarrier member 1111, 107, while between stations IV and V cam means 112is slightly recessed so that sealing members 120a are slightly spacedapart, as shown in FIG. 15. The depressed cam track portions 115 arelong enough so that rollers 118 remain in the depressed carn trackportions 115 during movement of the device from station IV to station V,and the spreading members 119 remain in the position shown in FIGS. 14and 15. The sealing seam formed by sealing members 120a is sufficientlycooled at the station V, where the cam means 106 and 112 permit risingof the carrier member under the action of spring 10-3, and of theshiftable member 109 under the action of spring 110, so that thespreading members 119 and the sealing members 12022 are withdrawn fromthe region of the top end of the container, while simultaneously movingto the inoperative positions shown in FIGS. '9 and 10, which are againobtained at the station VI.

The operations take place in exactly the same manner when themodification of FIG. 18 is substituted. However, between stations IV andV, suction is applied to the tubular spreading members 129, or a gas isintroduced through the same into the container. After the air has beenremoved from the container, the tubular spreading members 129 areretracted between stations V and V1, as explained above.

FIGS. 12 and 18 show in the lower portion thereof the triangular flapswith openings 124 which project from the main body of the container andare located on opposite ends of the sealed seam indicated by hatchingand formed on the superimposed container walls 127.

Referring now to FIG. 21, the conveyor 292 with open holders 203 isshown to transport containers 1. At the station X, the container is inthe condition in which it left station VI in FIG. 17. As a containermoves from station X to station XI, the projecting portion 127, 124passes under a flattening member 20, and is flattened as previouslyexplained with reference to FIG. 3. At the same time, parallel blades 21of cutting means engage the side walls of the container, and restore thesame to prismatic form, while triangular flaps project from the sidewalls of the container. The movable blades 22 are actuated to cut offthe tips of the triangular flaps, as shown in FIG. 16, so thattrapeze-shaped flaps 12 are formed which have substantial correspondingopenings 11. The openings 122, which were previously left by thespreading members 119, are thereby removed.

This operation corresponds to the schematic showing of FIG. 4, andthereupon the container is guided between a pair of shaping members asshown in FIG. which turn up the trapeze-shaped flaps 12.

As explained with reference to FIG. 6, it is now desired to formtransverse sealing seams closing the openings 11 in flaps 12. A deviceserving this purpose is illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21.

A stationary shaft 211 turnably carries a member which includes a pairof circular plates 212 connected by bolts 214. Pairs of sealing members217 are mounted on the inner sides of plates 212 for pivotal movementabout pins 216 which are supported in lugs 215 on the inside of plates212. Sealing members 217 preferably have elastic inserts 222 which arelocated opposite corresponding portions of the plates 212. Cam followerrollers 218 are turnably mounted on pins 219 of sealing members 217 andcooperate with a circular cam track on a stationary cam means 221).Springs 221 urge sealing members 217 away from the respective sectionsof plates 212 and into a position in which cam rollers 218 roll alongthe cam tracks of cam means 2211 during turning movement of plates 212in direction of the arrow 213 in FIG. 21. Member 212, 214, with theattached sealing members 217, is turned by conventional drive means, notshown, for example, a gear may be secured to the hub of one plate 212,and driven through a suitable transmission from an electric motor. Suchturning movement is synchronized with the movement of conveyor 2112 sothat the speed of the containers 1 at station X11 in FIG. 21

is substantially equal to the peripheral speed of the sealing members217, 222.

Preferably, the plates 212 are heated by suitable electric heatingmeans, not shown, so that the sealing members 217, 222 are heated byconvection.

In the embodiment illustrated in F168. 20 and 21, fivepairs of sealingmembers 217 are provided. The diameter of plates 212, and the number ofthe sealing members 217 depends on the desired output of the machine, onthe number of containers supplied by conveyor 202 in a time unit, on thedesired sealing time, and on the preferred sealing temperature.

Each pair of sealing members 217 is associated with ejector member 223which is turnably mounted on a bolt 214, and has a cam follower portion226 cooperating with a radial cam lug 227 on the stationary cam means220. Each ejector member 223 is located between a pair of sealingmembers 217, and is outwardly moved when cam follower portion 226engages cam lug 227 which occurs once each revolution of blades 2-12.Cam lug 227 is located opposite a receiving means including asubstantial horizontal member 224 and a rear wall 228 which isadvantageously mounted on the support of the cutting means 21.

The apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21 operates in the followingmanner: Containers 1 with upturned flaps 12 are transported to stationXII where the upturned flaps project between the plates 212. Themovement of the turnable member 212, 214 is synchronized with themovement of conveyor 2112, so that a pair of sealing members 217 islocated at station X11 when a container arrives at this station. Cam 220has such a shape that sealing members 217 are widely spaced from thecorresponding matching portions of plates 212, permitting flaps 12 toenter between the respective pair of sealing members 217 and thecorresponding sealing portions of plates 212. Directly thereafter, camfollowers 218 engage a raised cam portion of the circular cam track ofcam means 220, and are moved to a clamping and sealing position shown inFIG. 20 in which the flaps 12 are clamped between sealing members 217,222 and plates 12. Consequently, the turning member 212, 214, 217 willlift the container 1 out of the open holder 2153, and will carry thecontainer along a circular path toward station XIII. During suchmovement, sealing members 217 remain in sealing position, so that thecontainers are not only firmly held, but also provided with transverseseals across the trapezeshaped flaps 12 which effect closing of theopening 211 formed by the cutting means 21, 22.

When the respective pair of sealing members 217 has passed station X111after a time sutficient for efiecting a perfect sealing seam, projection226 engages cam lug 227, and the respective ejector member 223 isoutwardly pivoted, while the cam track of cam means 220 tapers to permitsprings 221 to open the sealing members 217. The outward movement ofejector member 223 pushes the thus released container away from thesealing members 217 so that it is deposited on receiving means 224, 228provided at station XIV.

This operation corresponds to the schematic showing of FIG. 6, and itwill be understood that the sealing faces on the inner surface of plates212 are provided with projecting ridges for forming a beaded seam asshown in FIG. 6a.

The flaps 12 are now flattened by suitable means similar to flatteningmember 211. When it is desired to open the container, only one of theseams formed in the flaps =12 has to be opened so that it is possible todischarge the contents of the container through the respective openedflap portion 12, which acts as a spout. It is also very convenient toinsert a straw into the opened flap. A corresponding arrangement isshown in FIG. 19 where the opening S ll is formed by pulling apart thesealing seams 12b and 120.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together, may also find a useful application in other types ofcontainer closing arrangements dififering from the types describedabove.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in amethod and apparatus for sealing a container, it is not intended to belimited to the details shown, since various modifications and structuralchanges may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of thepresent invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can by applying current knowledgereadily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this inventionand, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A container-making apparatus, comprising, in combination, a firstsupport member for supporting a container having an open end; a secondsupport member, one of said support members being movable toward andaway from the other support member; a pair of spreading members mountedon said second support member movable between an inoperative positionclosely spaced from each other and a farther spaced spreading position;a pair of sealing members mounted on one of said support members movablein a direction transverse to the movement of said spreading membersbetween a farther spaced inoperative position and a closely spacedsealing position, said sealing members being located in said sealingposition between said spreading members in said spreading position andhaving a length smaller than the spacing between said spreading membersin said spreading position; control means operatively connected to saidone support member and to said spreading and sealing members for firstmoving said one supporting member to a position in which said spreadingmembers are located in the open end of a container supported on saidfirst supporting member, for then moving said spreading members to saidspreading position and for thereupon moving said sealing members to saidsealing position for sealing superimposed container wall portions spreadby said spreading members whereby lateral flaps are formed, and formoving said spreading and sealing members in reverse order to saidinoperative positions and said one supporting member away from the othersupporting member, means for cutting said fiaps, and means forcollapsing and sealing said flaps so that each of said flaps can beindependently opened for discharge of the contents of the container.

2. A container-making apparatus, comprising, in combination, a firstsupport member for supporting a container having an open end; a secondsupport member, one of said support members being movable toward andaway from the other support member; a pair of spreading members mountedon said second support member movable between an inoperative positionclosely spaced from each other and a farther spaced spreading position;a pair of sealing members mounted on said second support member movablein a direction transverse to the movement of said spreading membersbetween a farther spaced inoperative position and a closely spacedsealing position, said sealing members being located in said sealingposition between said spreading members in said spreading position andhaving a length smaller than the spacing between said spreading membersin said spreading position; control means operatively connected to saidone support member and to said spreading and sealing members for firstmoving said one supporting member to a position in which said spreadingmembers are located in the open end of a container supported on saidfirst supporting member, for then moving said spreading members to saidspreading position and for thereupon moving said sealing members to saidsealing position for sealing superimposed container wall portions spreadby said spreading members whereby later-a1 flaps are formed, and formoving said spreading and sealing members in reverse order to saidinoperative positions, and said one supporting member away from theother supporting member; means for cutting off the tips of the flaps ofthe superimposed container wall portions; means for collapsing andflattening the flaps; and other sealing members for sealing said flapsso that the fiaps can be independently opened for discharge of thecontents of the container.

3. A container-making apparatus, comprising, in combination, a firstsupport member for supporting a container having an open end; a secondsupport member, one of said support members being movable toward andaway from the other support member, said support members being movableat the same speed and in the same direction; a pair of spreading membersmounted on said second support member movable between an inoperativeposition closely spaced from each other and a farther spaced spreadingposition; a pair of sealing members mounted on said second supportmember movable in a direction transverse to the movement of saidspreading members between a farther spaced inoperative position and aclosely spaced sealing position, said sealing members being lo.- catedin said sealing position between said spreading members in saidspreading position and having a length smaller than the spacing betweensaid spreading members in said spreading position; and control meansincluding stationary cam means and cam follower means operativelyconnected to said one support member and to said spreading and sealingmembers for first moving said one supporting member to a position inwhich said spreading members are located in the open end of a containersupported on said first supporting member, for then moving saidspreading members to said spreading position and forthereupon movingsaid sealing members to said sealing position for sealing superimposedcontainer wall portions spread by said spreading members whereby lateralflaps are formed, and for moving said spreading and sealing members inreverse order to said inoperative positions, and said one supportingmember away from the other supporting member.

4. A container-making apparatus, comprising, in combination, a firstsupport member for supporting a container having an open end; a secondsupport member, said first support member being movable toward and awayfrom the other support member, said support members being movable at thesame speed and in the same direction; a pair of spreading membersmounted on said second support member movable between an inoperativeposition closely spaced from each other and a farther spaced spreadingposition; a pair of sealing members mounted on said second supportmember movable in a direction transverse to the movement of saidspreading members between a farther spaced inoperative position and aclosely spaced sealing position, said sealing members being located insaid sealing position between said spreading members in said spreadingposition and having a length smaller than the spacing between saidspreading members in said spreading position; control means includingstationary cam means and cam followers means operatively connected tosaid first support member and to said spreading and sealing members forfirst moving said one supporting member to a position in which saidspreading members are located in the open end of a container supportedon said first supporting member, for then moving said spreading membersto said spreading position and for thereupon moving said sealing membersto said sealing position for sealing superimposed container wallportions spread by said spreading members whereby lateral flaps areformed, and for moving said spreading and sealing member in reverseorder to said inoperative positions, and said one supporting member awayfrom the other supporting member; means for cutting off the tips of theflaps of the superimposed container wall portions; means for collapsingand flattening the flaps; and other sealing members for sealing saidflaps so that the flaps can be independently opened for discharge of thecontents of the container.

5. A container-making apparatus, comprising, in combination, a firstsupport member for supporting a container having an open end; a secondsupport member, one of said support members being movable toward andaway from the other support member; a pair of tubular spreading membersmounted on said second support member movable between and inoperativeposition closely spaced from each other and a farther spaced spreadingposition; a pair of sealing members mounted on said second supportmember movable in a direction transverse to the movement of saidspreading members between a farther spaced inoperative position and aclosely spaced sealing position, said sealing members being located insaid sealing position between said spreading members in said spreadingposition and having a length smaller than the spacing between saidspreading members in said spreading position; control means operativelyconnected to said one support member and to said spreading and sealingmembers for first moving said one supporting member to a position inwhich said spreading members are located in the open end of a containersupported on said first supporting member so that a gaseous medium maybe introduced into, or sucked out from the container through saidtubular spreading members, for then moving said spreading members tosaid spreading position and for thereupon moving said sealing members tosaid sealing position for sealing superimposed container \wall portionsspread by said spreading members whereby lateral flaps are formed, andfor moving said spreading and sealing members in reverse order to saidinoperative positions and said one supporting member away from the othersupporting member; and other sealing members for sealing said flaps.

6. A container-making apparatus, comprising, in combination, a firstsupport member for supporting a container having an open end; a secondsupport member, one of said support members being movable toward andaway from the other support member; a pair of spreading members mountedon said second support member movable between an inoperative positionclosely spaced from each other and a farther spaced spreading position;a pair of sealing members mounted on said second support member movablein a direction transverse to the movement of said spreading membersbetween a farther spaced inoperative position and a closely spacedsealing position, said sealing members being located in said sealingposition between said spreading members in said spreading position andhaving a length smaller than the spacing between said spreading membersin said spreading position; and control means operatively connected tosaid one support member and to said spreading and sealing members forfirst moving said one supporting member to a position in which saidspreading members are located in the open end of a container supportedon said first supporting member, for then moving said spreading membersto said spreading position, then moving said spreading members a shortdistance toward each other to release the container wall, and forthereupon moving said sealing members to said sealing position forsealing superimposed container wall portions spread by said spreadingmembers whereby lateral flaps are formed, and for moving said spreadingand sealing members in reverse order to said inoperative positions, andsaid one supporting member away from the other supporting member.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 and including a turnable membersupporting said other sealing members for movement along a circularpath; stationary cam means cooperating with said other sealing membersalong a circular cam track to move the same to a sealing position inwhich said triangular flaps are clamped and sealed so that the containeris carried by said turnable member along a circular path, said cam meansreleasing said other sealing members at the end of said path; and meansfor receiving the container at the end of said path.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 and including ejector meansmounted on said turnable member and operated by a cam portion of saidcam means to move the container at the end of said path toward saidreceiving means.

9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 8 and including a supportsupporting said cutting means and said receiving means.

10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said first supportmember includes a conveyor band and a plurality of holders open at leaston one side and adapted to support containers, respectively, saidconveyor band moving the containers thereon first to said cutting meansand then into the region of said other sealing means on said turntablemember.

11. A container-making apparatus comprising, in combination, a firstsupport member for transporting a plurality of containers having openends along a first path; a second support member including a supportelement movable along a second path parallel to said first path, acarrier element mounted on said support element for movement toward andaway from said first path and having a first cam follower, and ashiftable element mounted on said carrier element for movement towardand away from said first path and having a second cam follower and twopairs of cam tracks; a pair of spreading members mounted on said carriermember for pivotal movement between an inoperative position closelyspaced from each other, and a farther spaced spreading position, saidspreading member having cam follower elements cooperating with one pairof said cam tracks, respectively, so that said spreading members aremoved to said spreading position when said shiftable element movesrelative to said carrier element whereby said spreading members spreadapart within the open end of a container on said first support member; apair of sealing members mounted on said carrier element movable in adirection transverse to the movement of said spreading members between afarther spaced inoperative position and a closely spaced sealingposition, said sealing members being located in said sealing posit-ionbetween said spreading members in said spreading position and having alength smaller than the spacing between said spreading members in saidspreading position, said sealing members having other cam followerelements cooperating, respectively, with the other pair of said camtracks so that said sealing members are moved to said sealing positionwhen said shiftable element moves relative to said carrier elementwhereby said sealing members move to said sealing position to sealsuperimposed wall portions at the open end of a container spread by saidspreading members in said spreading position whereby lateral fiaps areformed; and a pair of cam means engaging said first and second camfollowers, respectively, during movement of said second support memberalong said second path, one of said cam means cooperating with saidfirst cam follower to move said carrier element and thereby said sealingmembers and spreading members simultaneously into the region of, andaway from the open end of a container, and the other of said cam meanscooperate with said second cam follower for moving said shiftableelement and said pairs of cam tracks relative to said cam followerelements of said spreading members and sealing members for first movingsaid spreading members to said spreading position and thereupon saidsealing members to said sealing position, and for moving said spreadingand said sealing members in reverse order to said inoperative positions.

12. A container-making apparatus comprising, in combination, a firstsupport member for transporting a plurality of containers having openends along a first path;

a second support member including a support element movable along asecond path parallel to said first path, a carrier element mounted onsaid support element for movement toward and away from said first pathand having a first cam follower, and a shiftable element mounted on saidcarrier element for movement toward and away from said first path andhaving a second cam follower and two pairs of cam tracks; a pair ofspreading members mounted on said carrier member for pivotal movementbetween an inoperative position closely spaced from each other, and afarther spaced spreading position, said spreading member having camfollower elements oooperating with one pair of said cam tracks,respectively, so that said spreading members are moved to said spreadingposition when said shiftable element moves relative to said carrierelement whereby said spreading members spread apart within the open endof a container on said first support member; a pair of sealing membersmounted on said carrier element movable in a direction transverse to themovement of said spreading members between a farther spaced inoperativeposition and a closely spaced sealing position, said sealing membersbeing located in said sealing position between said spreading members insaid spreading position and having a length smaller then the spacingbetween said spreading members in said spreading position, said sealingmembers having other cam follower elements cooperating, respectively,with the other pair of said cam tracks so that said sealing members aremoved to said sealing position when said shiftable element movesrelative to said carrier element whereby said sealing members move tosaid sealing position to seal superimposed wall portions at the open endof a container spread by said spreading members in said spreadingposition whereby lateral flaps are formed; a pair of cam means engagingsaid first and second cam followers, respectively, during movement ofsaid second support member along said second path, one of said cam meanscooperating with said first cam follower to move said carrier elementand thereby said sealing members and spreading members simultaneouslyinto the region of, and away from the open end of a container, and theother of said cam means cooperate with said second cam follower formoving said shiftable element and said pairs of cam tracks relative tosaid cam follower elements of said spreading members and sealing membersfor first moving said spreading members to said spreading position andthereupon said sealing members to said sealing position, and for movingsaid spreading and said seallng members in reverse order to saidinoperative positions; cutting means located along said first path forcutting the tips of lateral flaps of said superimposed and sealed wallportions; and other sealing members for sealing said flaps so that theflaps can be independently opened for discharge of the contents of thecontainer.

13. A container-making apparatus comprising, in combination, a firstsupport member for transporting a plurality of containers having openends along a first path; a second support member including a supportelement movable along a second path parallel to said first path, acarrier element mounted on said support element for movement toward andaway from said first path and having a first cam follower, and ashiftable element mounted on said carrier element for movement towardand away from said first path and having a second cam follower and twopairs of cam tracks; a pair of tubular spreading members mounted on saidcarrier member for pivotal movement between an inoperative positionclosely spaced from each other, and a farther spaced spreading position,said spreading member having cam follower elements cooperating with onepair of said cam tracks, respectively, so that said spreading membersare moved to said spreading position when said shiftable element movesrelative to said carrier element whereby said spreading members spreadapart within the open end of a container on said first support member; apair of sealing members mounted on said carrier element movable in adirection transverse to the movement of said spreading members between afarther spaced inoperative position and a closely spaced sealingposition, said sealing members being located in said sealing positionbetween said spreading members in said spreading position and having alength smaller thanthe spacing between said spreading members in saidspreading position, said sealing members having other cam followerelements cooperating, respectively, with the other pair of said camtracks so that said sealing members are moved to said sealing positionwhen said shiftable element moves relative to said carrier elementwhereby said sealing members move to said sealing position to sealsuperimposed wall portions at the open end of a container spread by saidspreading members in said spreading position whereby lateral fiaps areformed; and a pair of cam means engaging said first and second camfollowers, respectively, during movement of said second support memberalong said second path, one of said cam means cooperating with saidfirst cam follower to move said carrier element and thereby said sealingmembers and spreading members simultaneously into the region of, andaway from the open end of a container, and the other of said cam meanscooperating with said second cam follower for moving said shiftableelement and said pairs of cam tracks relative to said cam followerelements of said spreading members and sealing members for first movingsaid spreading members to said spreading position and thereupon saidsealing members to said sealing position so that air may be removed fromthe container through said tubular spreading members; and other sealingmembers for sealing said flaps so that the flaps can be independentlyopened for discharge of the contents of the container.

14. A container-making apparatus comprising, in combination, a firstsupport member for transporting a plurality of containers having openends along a first path; a second support member including a supportelement movable along a second path parallel to said first path, acarrier element mounted on said support element for movement toward andaway from said first path and having a first path and having a first camfollower, and a shiftable element mounted on said carrier element formovement toward and away from said first path and having a second camfollower and two pairs of cam tracl ts; a pair of spreading membersmounted on said carrier member for pivotal movement between aninoperative position closely spaced from each other, and a fartherspaced spreading position, said spreading memher having cam followerelements cooperating with one pair of said cam tracks, respectively, sothat said spreading members are moved to said spreading position whensaid shiftable element moves relative to said carrier element wherebysaid spreading members spread apart within the open end of a containeron said first support member, sa1d one pair of cam tracks having thehighest track portions spaced from the ends thereof; a pair of sealingmembers mounted on said carrier element movable in a directiontransverse to the movement of said spreading members between a fartherspaced inoperative position and a closely spaced sealing position, saidsealing members being located in said sealing position between saidspreading members in said spreading position and having a length smallerthan the spacing between said spreading members in said spreadingposition, said sealing members having other cam follower elementscooperating, respectively, with the other pair of said cam tracks sothat said sealing members are moved to said sealing position when saidshiftable element moves relative to said carrier element whereby saidsealing members move to said sealing position to seal superimposed wallportions at the open end of a container spread by said spreading membersin said spreading position whereby lateral flaps are formed; and a pairof cam means engaging said first and second cam followers, respectively,during movement of said second support member along said second path,one of said cam means cooperating with said first cam follower to movesaid carrier element and thereby said sealing members and spreadingmembers simultaneously into the region of, and away from the open end ofa container, and the other of said cam means cooperating with saidsecond cam follower for moving said shiftable element and said pairs ofcam tracks relative to said cam follower elements of said spreadingmembers and sealing members for first moving said spreading members tosaid spreading position when the respective cam follower elements engagesaid highest cam track portions, and for then moving said spreadingmembers a short distance toward each other to release the container Walland thereupon said sealing members to said sealing position, and formoving said spreading and said sealing members in reverse order to saidinoperative positions.

15. An apparatus as set forth in claim 12 and including a turnablemember supporting said other sealing members for movement along acircular path; stationary cam means cooperating with said other sealingmembers along a circular cam track to move the same to a sealingposition in which said lateral flaps are clamped and sealed so that thecontainer is carried by said turnable member along a circular path, saidcam means releasing said other sealing members at the end of said path;and means for receiving the container at the end of said path.

16. An apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein said turnable memberincludes two fixedly connected plates, pairs of said other sealingmembers being pivotally mounted on the insides of said plates,respectively, and having cam followers; and wherein said stationary cammeans is located between said sealing members of said pair of othersealing members and urges the same toward said plates, respectively, andinto a sealing position.

17. A container-making apparatus comprising, in combination, a pair ofspreading members having a closely spaced inoperative position and afarther spaced spreading position; a pair of sealing members having afarther spaced inoperative position and a closely spaced sealingposition; said .sealingmembers having a length slightly smaller than thespacing between said spreading members in said spreading position;supporting means for supporting said spreading members, said sealingmembers, and a container having an open end; control means for firstplacing said spreading members in said inoperative position in said openend of said container, for then moving said spreading members to saidspreading position, for then moving said spreading members a shortdistance toward each other to release the container wall, for placingsaid sealing members between said spreading members in said spreadingposition, for moving said sealing members to said sealing position toform a seal between wall portions at said open end of said containerspread by said spreading members whereby lateral unsealed flaps areformed at the ends of said seal in the region of said spreadringmembers, and for finally moving said sealing and spreading members tosaid inoperative positions so as to be spaced from said container; andmeans for collapsing and sealing said flaps so that at least one of saidflaps can be opened for discharge of the contents of the container.

18. A container-making apparatus comprising, in combination, a pair ofspreading members having a closely spaced inoperative position and afarther spaced spreading position; a pair of sealing members having afarther spaced inoperative position and a closely spaced sealingposition, said sealing members having a length slightly smaller than thespacing between said spreading members in said spreading position;supporting means for supporting said spreading members, said sealingmembers, and a container having an open end; control means for firstplacing said spreading members in said inoperative position in said openend of said container, for then moving said spreading members to saidspreading position, for then moving said spreading members a shortdistance toward each other to release the container wall, for placingsaid sealing members between said spreading members in said spreadingposition, for moving said sealing members to said sealing position toform a seal between wall portions at said open end of said containerspread by said spreading members whereby lateral unsealed flaps areformed at the ends of said seal in the region of said spreading members,and for finally moving said sealing and spreading members to saidinoperative positions so as to be spaced from said container; cuttingmeans for cutting the tips of said flaps; and means for collapsing andsealing said flaps so that at least one of said flaps can be opened fordischarge of the contents of the container.

19. A container-making apparatus comprising, in combination, a pair oftubular spreading members having a closely spaced inoperative positionand a farther spaced spreading position; a pair of sealing membershaving a farther spaced inoperative position and a closely spacedsealing position, said sealing member having a length slightly smallerthan the spacing between said tubular spreading members in saidspreading position; supporting means for supporting said tubularspreading members, said sealing members, and a container having an openend; control means for first placing said tubular spreading members insaid inoperative position in said open end of said container so that afluid may be introduced into, or sucked from said container through saidtubular spreading members, for then moving said spreading members tosaid spreading position, for then moving said spreading members a shortdistance toward each other to release the container wall, for placingsaid sealing members between said spreading members in said spreadingposition, for moving said sealing members to said sealing position toform a seal between wall portions at said open end of said containerspread by said spreading members whereby lateral unsealed flaps areformed at the ends of said seal in the region of said spreading members,and for finally moving said sealing and spreading members to saidinoperative positions so as to be spaced from said container; and meansfor collapsing and sealing said flaps so that at least one of said fiapscan be opened for discharge of the contents of the container.

'References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,168,241 Robinson Aug. 1, 1939 2,243,805 Knapp May 27, 1941 2,292,295Royal Aug. 4, 194-2 2,634,562 Mueller et al. Apr. 14, 1953 2,692,074Mueller et al Oct. 19, 1954 2,881,573 Hensgen Apr. 14, 1959 2,949,715Tarleton et al Aug. 23, 1960

1. A CONTAINER-MAKING APPARATUS, COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A FIRSTSUPPORT MEMBER FOR SUPPORTING A CONTAINER HAVING AN OPEN END; A SECONDSUPPORT MEMBER, ONE OF SAID SUPPORT MEMBERS BEING MOVABLE TOWARD ANDAWAY FROM THE OTHER SUPPORT MEMBER; A PAIR OF SPREADING MEMBERS MOUNTEDON SAID SECOND SUPPORT MEMBER MOVABLE BETWEEN AN INOPERATIVE POSITIONCLOSELY SPACED FROM EACH OTHER AND A FARTHER SPACED SPREADING POSITION;A PAIR OF SEALING MEMBERS MOUNTED ON ONE OF SAID SUPPORT MEMBERS MOVABLEIN A DIRECTION TRANSVERSE TO THE MOVEMENT OF SAID SPREADING MEMBERSBETWEEN A FARTHER SPACED INOPERATIVE POSITION AND A CLOSELY SPACEDSEALING POSITION, SAID SEALING MEMBERS BEING LOCATED IN SAID SEALINGPOSITION BETWEEN SAID SPREADING MEMBERS IN SAID SPREADING POSITION ANDHAVING A LENGTH SMALLER THAN THE SPACING BETWEEN SAID SPREADING MEMBERSIN SAID SPREADING POSITION; CONTROL MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAIDONE SUPPORT MEMBER AND TO SAID SPREADING AND SEALING MEMBERS FOR FIRSTMOVING SAID ONE SUPPORTING MEMBER TO A POSITION IN WHICH SAID SPREADINGMEMBERS ARE LOCATED IN THE OPEN END OF A CONTAINER SUPPORTED ON SAIDFIRST SUPPORTING MEMBER, FOR THEN MOVING SAID SPREADING MEMBERS TO SAIDSPREADING POSITION AND FOR THEREUPON MOVING SAID SEALING MEMBERS TO SAIDSEALING POSITION FOR SEALING SUPERIMPOSED CONTAINER WALL PORTIONS SPREADBY SAID SPREADING MEMBERS WHEREBY LATERAL FLAPS ARE FORMED, AND FORMOVING SAID SPREADING AND SEALING MEMBERS IN REVERSE ORDER TO SAIDINOPERATIVE POSITIONS AND SAID ONE SUPPORTING MEMBER AWAY FROM THESUPPORTING MEMBER, MEANS FOR CUTTING SAID FLAPS, AND MEANS FORCOLLAPSING AND SEALING SAID FLAPS SO THAT EACH OF SAID FLAPS CAN BEINDEPENDENTLY OPENED FOR DISCHARGED OF THE CONTENTS OF THE CONTAINER.